Cost of living comparison

 United States
compared to
Australia vs. United States Cost of Living Summary

Australia is 3.7% more expensive than United States overall.

Restaurants
pay 1.0% less in Australia
Groceries
pay 7.8% less in Australia
Transportation
pay 11.8% more in Australia
Housing
pay 21.5% less in Australia
Childcare
pay 12.1% less in Australia
Entertainment and Sports
pay 35.6% more in Australia
Clothing
pay 21.0% more in Australia

The cost of entertainment and sports, clothing, and transportation in Australia are more expensive than in United States. Expenses including housing, childcare, groceries, and restaurants are lower in Australia.

Australia vs. United States Cost Breakdown

If you lived in Australia instead of United States, you would:

pay 1.0% less for restaurants

 
United States
Australia
Basic meal with drink at inexpensive restaurant $18.59
 
$16.76
A$26.59
Fast food combo meal
McDonalds, or similar
$10.47
 
$9.73
A$15.45
Bottle of Coca-Cola (11 fl. oz) $2.50
 
$2.56
A$4.07

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pay 7.8% less for groceries

 
United States
Australia
Bread
1 loaf
$3.49
 
$2.37
A$3.76
Local cheese (8 oz) $6.33
 
$4.36
A$6.93
Milk (1 gallon) $3.91
 
$5.80
A$9.20

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pay 11.8% more for transportation

 
United States
Australia
Gasoline (1 gallon) $3.61
 
$4.65
A$7.38
Monthly public transit pass $65.15
 
$83.03
A$131.79
New Volkswagen Golf 1.4 (standard edition) $31,583.67
 
$27,742.09
A$44,031.58

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pay 21.5% less for housing

 
United States
Australia
Internet connection
50 mbps or faster, cable/dsl
$67.50
 
$55.59
A$88.24
1-Bedroom apartment in downtown area $1,655.99
 
$1,182.30
A$1,876.53
1-Bedroom apartment outside city center $1,423.40
 
$957.92
A$1,520.39

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pay 12.1% less for childcare

 
United States
Australia
Private preschool for 1 child, monthly $1,351.84
 
$1,485.91
A$2,358.41
Middle school for 1 child, two semesters $22,265.44
 
$14,667.78
A$23,280.36

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pay 35.6% more for entertainment and sports

 
United States
Australia
Domestic/local beer (1 pint) $5.78
 
$6.64
A$10.54
Cappuccino in mid-range area $5.04
 
$3.55
A$5.63
Pack of cigarettes
Marlboro or similar
$9.68
 
$28.07
A$44.56

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pay 21.0% more for clothing

 
United States
Australia
Regular jeans
Levi's brand
$50.38
 
$71.78
A$113.92
Regular dress
from H&M or similar store
$40.66
 
$50.24
A$79.74
Running shoes
Nike or Adidas
$85.52
 
$100.30
A$159.19

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The statistics used to build this comparison are calculated using data from users just like you. We average the price of thousands of data points entered by users across the world. Learn more about our data sources. Page last updated: March 2025
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